legítimo

legitimate

adjective leh-HEE-tee-moh Rare

Origin: From Latin legitimus, from lex (law).

Also means

lawful

Usage Note

Legítimo means both 'lawful' (in accordance with law) and 'legitimate' in the broader sense of justified or genuine (legítima defensa = self-defence). The feminine form is legítima; the adverb is legítimamente. It is an esdrújula word — stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable, requiring the written accent.

Examples

"Tiene el derecho legítimo de reclamar su herencia."

Natural Translation

She has the legitimate right to claim her inheritance.

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